UMSF - Server Switch 10th & 11th May Options

[djellison]

After the great 'server drive' fund raising by UMSF members, we have our dual 3ghz server up and running. I have another domain hosted on it already. It has been fast, and 100% stable ( touch wood ) for 2 months.

Thus, the intention is to move UMSF to the new server this weekend.

At approx 1200UT ( 1300 my time ) UMSF will be 'turned off'. The database is rather large, and can not be moved in an instant - nor can the 4Gb of attachments.

After the forum is switched off, a full backup will begin, sending the entire forum content to the new server ( this has been tested just now - and takes 2-3 hours )

Only once the full backup is successfully completed, will the DNS settings be changed, pointing the domain to the new server.

Once the backup is completed, the database must be repopulated on the new server, the attachments moved to the right place, the settings updated and checked - and only once the forum itself is up and running will it be turned 'on' again. At that point, it will take a couple of hours ( potentially significantly less ) for the domain-name shift to propagate across the web to your own ISP.

The move is scheduled for what is the quietest days of the week, and the quietest hours of that day for UMSF - to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Things might not go perfectly, so you'll just have to hold tight.

To keep everyone up to date - I will use a new external blog ( http://umsf.blogspot.com/ ) with news of the transfer - once UMSF is down, check there for details!

[nprev]

Well, the server just withstood a 5.6 earthquake about 45 minutes ago without a hitch, and my cel providers apparently did not...good news! (For the server; not pleased about the phone outage.)

[ElkGroveDan]

I heard it was down in Chino Hills. I called a friend there and he said lots of shaking, not much damage that he can see anywhere.

[dvandorn]

I guess it's apropos to ask here, then -- everyone out on the Left Coast doing OK, now? I saw the news and while there isn't anything along the lines of "big damage" reports in what I'm seeing, I figured I'd make sure no one on the Forum is in a bad way.

-the other Doug

[elakdawalla]

All's fine here. I think anything under magnitude 6, even a little higher, is in the realm of scary but not damaging.

--Emily

[nprev]

Yeah, all's well here in downtown LA, but it really was a hell of a shake. I did the doorway thing in my bathroom (fortunately (?) I'm home today due to lack of hot water in my 5th floor apartment!), and watched stuff in my closet swaying for a full minute, at least. Lots of building creaking as well.

Saw a lot of these in Alaska, but this was definitely the second-strongest shake I've ever felt.

EDIT: Local news here is endlessly repeating the possibility that this was a foreshock (5% chance)... Okay, I might need a place to stay for the next few months. Who's got the beer?

[djellison]

FYI - still working from the donations pot - the server is now paid for until the end of June '09.

[Astro0]

Hmmm, only until June '09.
Time to start thinking about extra donations for the expected increase in discussions about MSL's pending launch and cruise.

The goal - enough to pay for extra server space/speed/features(?) to get us through to July 14 2015 - New Horizons closest approach to Pluto. Then we can worry about the Kuiper Belt.

[Guest_PhilCo126_*]

Next time ( MSL 2009 ) I'll double my donation ... promised

[Guest_PhilCo126_*]

With MSL being delayed, we'll need to find another "reason" to start donating to UMSF.com again
Just warn the UMSF community on time...